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Pam Jones, RN & Patricia Porrey, CPDSeptember 4, 2019We go to enormous lengths to protect our babies from the dangers of the outside world, but sometimes the biggest danger could be in our homes and totally preventable with a few simple precautions. Safe SleepAccording to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)1, approximately 3500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS). The AAP recommends a safe sleep environment that can reduce the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths. Recommendations for a safe sleep environment include supine positioning (putting a baby to sleep on its back), the use of a firm sleep surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and the avoidance of soft bedding and overheating. Additional recommendations…

Kids have a great time during the summer. The favorable weather allows them to spend more time outside. However, outdoor activities can expose them to risks. They may also sustain injuries while enjoying indoor activities. Parents need to be extra careful during this season to avoid accidents. Since your children are on vacation during this much loved season, they will have time for fun. You have to keep your kids safe, while they enjoy themselves during the summer. The following summer safety tips will help you to protect your kids and allow them to enjoy the nice weather. Prevent falls Statistics show that the emergency units in health facilities treat more kids for injuries resulting from falls during summer. Falls can lead to concussion, a traumatic brain injury that disrupts…

Halloween is almost here and that means two things: your kids will want all the candy in the world, and they will want to get all this candy while dressed up as their favorite character. While Halloween is an enjoyable holiday for people of all ages, it can also be a scary one if proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are some things to keep in mind during this spooky season. 1. Make sure costumes are safe. Since it will be dark outside, costumes should be bright and reflective. They should also be short enough, so your child won’t trip or get their costume caught in any hazards like debris, jack-o-lantern flames, etc. Any body paint should be tested on a small section of skin before the big day so allergic…

As a parent, your number one priority is keeping your child safe. You may be thinking, “Furniture tip-overs? This doesn’t apply to me. My child will not climb.” According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the sad truth is that “children under the age of 6 accounted for 82% of all reported tip-over deaths involving clothing storage units between 2000 and 2016.” Industry Safety Regulations The tip-over testing standard is a dresser taller than 30 inches should not fall over with 50 pounds of weight hanging from an open drawer. However, these tests are voluntary. Meaning, manufacturers do not have to undergo product testing if they choose not to. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash With this being said, we’ve provided a list of ways to prevent furniture tip-overs. • Mount TVs to…

Pumpkins are a must-have decoration during the fall, but unless your child is patient enough to watch you carve the pumpkin, it can be hard to include the little ones in the fun. Your child can express their creativity by decorating the outside of a pumpkin. Here are five ideas for pumpkin decorating with young children: 1. Use Paint Toddlers love finger painting (and making a mess), but this way, they can paint as many layers with as many colors as they want. Make sure to use washable paint so the mess is easier to clean! If using tempera paint, mix it equal parts with washable glue to prevent flaking after the paint dries. Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash 2. Use Stencils Whether it’s a shape or an animal stencil, you can hold it…

As a parent, your child’s health and safety is your number one priority. The littlest sniffle or the slightest change in behavior may worry you, especially if you are a new parent. Sometimes Googling your newborn’s symptoms may not give you clear answers because there is an overabundance of parenting advice and warnings online. To put your mind at ease, call your child’s Doctor. We’ve put together a list to help you know when the appropriate time is to call the Doctor. • Yellowing of the skin or eyes. This could be Jaundice. • Difficulty breathing • A continuous cough • Persistent crying or irritability • Blue or grey coloring around the mouth when feeding or crying • Vomiting or not holding food down • Unusual/different bowel movement from normal…

It can be hard to keep your cool when your child is having a tantrum. It can feel like there is no end in sight, frustrating, and helplessness. Believe it or not, tantrums are healthy for children and your relationship with your child. Why are tantrums good for my child? When your child is throwing the temper tantrum of all tantrums, they are getting their emotions out. Part of developing, emotionally and mentally, is learning how to manage your emotions. Children are simply in this learning process, so go easy on them! They trust you and feel safe in showing their emotions and telling you how they feel. Releasing their emotions will make them feel better, relieve their stress, clear their head, and more. Many times, children have breakdowns after…